Clerodendrum is belong to Verbenaceae family. It is a genus of about 400 species of deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs, and climbers mainly found in woodlands in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in Africa and Asia.

 Clerodendrum thomsoniae is a species of flowering plant in the genus Clerodendrum. Native to tropical West Africa, from Cameroon west to Senegal. It was named for William C. Thompson, who was a physician and missionary to Nigeria. This plant was very popular during the mid 19th century under the name “Beauty Bush“. It is grown as an ornamental plant for its decorative two-coloured flowers. In temperate areas it requires shelter and a frost-free environment.

Bleeding Heart Vine is an evergreen liana growing up to 5 m tall, climbing without tendrils, suckers or root hairs, but rather by twining through and around its support. It has ovate to oblong leaves 8–12 cm long. The plant drops some of it leaves in winter. Blooms mostly from April to November in natural conditions of tropical climate. Also has few flowers even during the winter time. The flowers are produced in cymes of 8-20 together, each flower with a pure white to pale purple five lobed sepal 2,5 cm in diameter, and a crimson red five lobed corolla 1,5 cm long and in diameter.

Clerodendrum thomsoniae grows best with rich, sandy soil that is kept moist. It is a heavy feeder and it is advised to use a fertilizer that contains calcium for best results. If grown indoors, a winter rest period is advised. Fort this, it should move to a cooler area, cut back on water and fertilizer until spring. It can be pruned closely in late winter or early spring, as it blooms on the new season’s growth. Bleeding Heart Vine is a thirsty plant, a mature plant may require several litters of water a week during active growth. Happiest in bright light, may be grown in partial shade. Best results occur with morning sun and afternoon shade. The showy white sepals with dark red corolla make this plant a show stopper. Needs some type of support to grow on. Clerodendrum thomsoniae can be increase by replanting suckers or rooting semi-ripe tip cuttings. Quickest results can be obtained from root cuttings taken in winter.

Use in Landscape: Outside the tropics, Bleeding Heart Vine is usually grown in containers so it can be protected when temperatures fall below 4 °C. It can be kept pruned into a shrub, or given support and allowed to scramble like a vine. This vine like shrub does not spread as much as some, and is thus a good choice for a restricted support like a doorway arch or container trellis. Actually it is not such a good candidate to cover a fence or arbor. Clerodendrum thomsoniae is among the world’s most beautiful flowers.